August 23

Events - Politics & Government

30 BC

After the successful invasion of Egypt, Octavian executes Marcus Antonius Antyllus, the eldest son of Mark Antony, and Caesarion, the last king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and only child of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.

Octavian consolidates his power by executing Marcus Antonius Antyllus and Caesarion, ending the Ptolemaic dynasty and eliminating rival claims to Julius Caesar's legacy.
Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus, had just conquered Egypt after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. He ordered the execution of Marcus Antonius Antyllus, Antony's son by Fulvia, and Caesarion, the infant son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. With Caesarion's death, the Ptolemaic dynasty came to an abrupt end, and any claim to Julius Caesar's bloodline outside Octavian was extinguished. These acts removed potential rivals and solidified Octavian's sole rule over Rome and its territories. The removal of Antony's heirs marked the final chapter of the Roman Republic's internal struggles. Within two years, Octavian would be granted the title Augustus, ushering in the Roman Empire.
30 BC successful invasion of Egypt Octavian Marcus Antonius Antyllus Mark Antony Caesarion king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt Julius Caesar Cleopatra
476day.year

Odoacer, chieftain of the Germanic tribes (Herulic – Scirian foederati), is proclaimed rex Italiae ("King of Italy") by his troops.

Germanic chieftain Odoacer is proclaimed King of Italy in 476, signaling the end of Western Roman imperial rule.
In 476 AD, Odoacer, leader of the Herulic and Scirian foederati, was declared rex Italiae by his troops. His elevation ended young Romulus Augustulus's nominal reign and the Western Roman emperor tradition. Odoacer negotiated with Eastern Emperor Zeno, ruling Italy under nominal Byzantine authority. He redistributed lands to his Germanic soldiers, reshaping the Italian aristocracy and land ownership. This transition marked the collapse of centralized Roman power in the West and the dawn of successor kingdoms. Odoacer's reign set the stage for the early medieval period and the formation of European polities.
476 Odoacer Herulic Scirian foederati King of Italy
1521day.year

Christian II of Denmark is deposed as king of Sweden and Gustav Vasa is elected regent.

Christian II is deposed as King of Sweden and Gustav Vasa is elected regent in 1521, paving the way for Swedish independence.
In 1521, widespread resistance to Danish dominance sparked the Swedish War of Liberation. Nobleman Gustav Vasa emerged as leader, uniting nobles and peasants against King Christian II. On August 23, a Swedish assembly formally deposed Christian II as their monarch. Gustav Vasa was elected regent, breaking Sweden from the Kalmar Union under Denmark. His regency led to full independence in 1523, and Vasa’s coronation as king founded a new dynasty. This political shift laid the foundations for the modern Swedish state and its national identity.
1521 Christian II of Denmark king of Sweden Gustav Vasa regent
1628day.year

George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton.

John Felton assassinates George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, in 1628.
On August 23, 1628, disaffected naval officer John Felton fatally shot George Villiers, the powerful 1st Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham had amassed widespread envy due to his royal favor and influence over King Charles I. Felton blamed the duke for naval defeats and corruption, seeking personal vengeance. Villiers' assassination shocked the Stuart court and plunged political factions into turmoil. His death deprived Charles I of a key advisor and heightened tensions that would eventually lead to civil war. The incident underscored the volatile mix of favoritism and resentment in early 17th-century English politics.
1628 George Villiers Duke of Buckingham John Felton
1703day.year

Edirne event: Sultan Mustafa II of the Ottoman Empire is dethroned.

Sultan Mustafa II is deposed in the Edirne event, ending his reign in 1703.
On August 23, 1703, the Edirne event saw discontented Janissaries and provincial governors depose Sultan Mustafa II while he was away on campaign. Accused of neglecting state affairs and favoring military expeditions, Mustafa was forced to abdicate and was succeeded by his brother, Ahmed III. The coup reflected growing unrest within the military elite and strained relations between the capital and frontier provinces. It marked a rare instance of successful palace revolt in Ottoman history. The sultan’s fall underscored the Janissaries’ political influence and the fragile balance of power in the empire. The Edirne deposition set precedents for future internal challenges to the Ottoman throne.
1703 Edirne event Mustafa II Ottoman Empire
1775day.year

American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion.

King George III issues the Proclamation of Rebellion, declaring the American colonies in open revolt.
On August 23, 1775, King George III delivered the Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's, formally denouncing the American colonies as being in open and avowed rebellion. The proclamation followed the outbreak of armed conflict at Lexington and Concord and sought to unify loyal subjects against the insurgents. It authorized British forces to suppress the revolt and offered pardons to rebels who laid down arms. The measure escalated tensions and eliminated hopes for peaceful reconciliation. Colonial leaders fiercely rejected the declaration, solidifying their resolve for independence. This proclamation marked a defining moment that propelled the American Revolutionary War toward full-scale conflict.
1775 American Revolutionary War George III Proclamation of Rebellion Court of St James's American colonies
1784day.year

Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin; it is not accepted into the United States, and only lasts for four years.

Settlers in western North Carolina declare the independent State of Franklin, which lasts four years.
On August 23, 1784, settlers in the western portion of North Carolina proclaimed the independent State of Franklin, named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Frustrated by distant state governance and Native American conflicts, they sought self-rule and recognition as the fourteenth state. North Carolina and the United States Congress refused to admit Franklin, citing constitutional concerns. The experiment endured until 1788, when internal divisions and external pressure led to its collapse. Although short-lived, Franklin’s bid for independence influenced later westward expansion and territorial organization. The episode highlights the challenges of frontier governance in post-Revolutionary America.
1784 North Carolina Tennessee Franklin
1799day.year

Napoleon Bonaparte leaves Egypt for France en route to seizing power.

Napoleon Bonaparte departs Egypt for France, setting the stage to seize power.
On August 23, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte secretly left his army in Egypt aboard the frigate Muiron, embarking on a fast voyage back to France. Facing a deteriorating military situation after setbacks against British and Ottoman forces, he saw an opportunity in the political instability of the Directory. Napoleon arrived in Paris in October and leveraged his military reputation to orchestrate the coup of 18 Brumaire. This maneuver ultimately ended the Directory and established the Consulate with Napoleon as First Consul. His return marked a turning point that led to the rise of the Napoleonic Empire. The departure from Egypt showcased his ambition and strategic foresight in seizing power.
1799 Napoleon Bonaparte Egypt France
1927day.year

Italian anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti are executed after a lengthy, controversial trial.

Italian anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed on August 23, 1927 after a highly contested trial that sparked international protest.
Sacco and Vanzetti were Italian immigrants and committed anarchists accused of armed robbery and murder. Their trial in Massachusetts drew accusations of prejudice and inadequate legal defense. Evidence presented was widely regarded as circumstantial, fueling debates over judicial fairness. Despite international appeals, they were convicted and condemned to death. On 23 August 1927, both men were electrocuted in Charlestown State Prison. Their execution ignited demonstrations worldwide and remains a symbol of judicial injustice. The case influenced legal reforms and civil rights advocacy in subsequent decades.
1927 Sacco and Vanzetti
1939day.year

World War II: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. In a secret protocol to the pact, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania are divided into German and Soviet "spheres of influence".

On August 23, 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, secretly dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.
The non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was signed on 23 August 1939, shocking the world. Negotiated by foreign ministers Joachim von Ribbentrop and Vyacheslav Molotov, the pact pledged peaceful relations between the two powers. A secret protocol divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. Poland, Finland, the Baltic states, and portions of Romania were apportioned between the signatories. By neutralizing the threat of a two-front war, the agreement cleared the way for Germany's invasion of Poland. The pact remained in force until Germany's betrayal in June 1941 with Operation Barbarossa. Its ramifications reshaped the geopolitical landscape and directly led to the outbreak of World War II.
1939 World War II Nazi Germany Soviet Union Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact Poland Finland Estonia Latvia Lithuania Romania
1944day.year

World War II: King Michael of Romania dismisses the pro-Nazi government of Marshal Antonescu, who is later arrested. Romania switches sides from the Axis to the Allies.

King Michael I of Romania dismissed the pro-Nazi government on August 23, 1944, causing Romania to switch sides to the Allies.
King Michael I orchestrated a palace coup against Marshal Ion Antonescu on 23 August 1944. Romania promptly signed an armistice with the Allies and declared war on Germany. Romanian troops turned against their former Axis partners, aiding the Soviet advance. The switch weakened German forces in the Balkans and hastened their retreat. Cities like Budapest and Belgrade soon fell under Allied pressure. Michael's action boosted his royal standing and shaped post-war Eastern European politics. Romania's defection significantly altered the balance on the Eastern Front.
King Michael of Romania dismisses Nazi Marshal Antonescu Romania Axis Allies
1946day.year

Ordinance No. 46 of the British Military Government constitutes the German Länder (states) of Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein.

In post-war Germany, the British Military Government reorganized territories to create the states of Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein.
On August 23, 1946, under Ordinance No. 46, the British Military Government in occupied Germany officially established the German Länder of Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein. This administrative reorganization aimed to streamline governance and facilitate reconstruction in the British occupation zone. The new boundaries combined historical regions with occupation requirements, reflecting both local identities and Allied strategic interests. The formation of these states laid the groundwork for their eventual integration into the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. The decision contributed to the modern federal structure of Germany and influenced regional politics for decades.
1946 Ordinance No. 46 Länder Hanover Schleswig-Holstein